Pro-immigrant environmentalists
What works best for you to create change: uniting people, or dividing them? OEC was founded on the premise that, if we bring people together, we can use the best of our collective ingenuity to protect what we love.
Today, we find it’s not enough to unite people: we must also actively reject efforts to divide Oregonians. As an anti-immigrant movement gains ground in Oregon, it is critical for OEC to assert that we are not simply silent on the issue: we are pro-immigrant environmentalists.
This month, Causa Oregon and OEC invited about 40 leaders from environmental and social justice groups to learn, discuss, and pledge action in support of justice for immigrant communities. The group took a hard look at how anti-immigrant movements are trying to take rights and resources away from immigrants by provoking environmental fears.
Immigrants in Oregon’s communities are very important allies to OEC. We embrace the insights and solutions that they have contributed to address climate change, environmental health and water issues. Our summer intern, whose family emigrated from Mexico, shares her thoughts on immigrants and the environmental movement here.
Anti-immigrant groups in Oregon funded by national interests have not, however, been valuable environmental allies to date. Though they use the word “sustainable,” they in fact have promoted ballot measures that would impede Oregon’s ability to protect the environment.
It’s not a new tactic. For decades, anti-immigrant groups have blamed immigrants for creating a scarcity of resources. But because OEC is committed to sound science and economics, we know that resource stewardship is a shared responsibility. The real opportunity to build a healthy environment with thriving communities lies not in excluding people, but in striving for justice and equity.
Oregon’s Climate Protection Program is Restored!
9
New Groundwater Rules APPROVED!
9
Help Restore Oregon’s Climate Protection Program
9
Oregon’s Climate Protection Program (CPP) Is Under Attack
9
9
Voices of Support: Defending Oregon’s Climate Protection Program
9